Mail-bag catcher and deliverer and railroad appliance therefor.



Patented Dec. l8, I900;

No. 664,27l.

. L. D; JUBES. NlAiL BAG CATCHER AND DELIVERE'R AND RAILROAD APPLIANCE THEREFOR.

rA ncmon filed June 4, 1897.)

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(No Model.)

INVENTOI? a /&

ATTORNEY.

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No. 664,27l; Patented Dec. Is, 1900.

' L. n. JOBES.

MAIL BAG GATCHER AND DELIVEREB AND RAILROAD APPLIANCE THEREFOR;

(Application filed June 4, 1897.) "Bl- L) 3 Shanty-Sheet 2.

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No. 664 ,27l. Patented 050. I8. I900.

L. D. JDBES.

MAIL BAG CATCHER AND DELIVERED AND RAILROAD APPLIANDE THEREFOR.

(Application filed June 4, 1897.)

(No Model.) 3 sheats-esheet '3.

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UNITED STATES LESLIE D. JOBES, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

MAIL-BAG CATCHER AND DELIVERER AND RAILROAD APPLIANCE THEREFOR;

SiliJIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 664,271, dated December 18, 1960'.

Application filed June 4, 1897. erial No. 639,446. (No model.)

T0 to whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LESLIE D. JOBES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Catchers and Deliverers and Railroad Appliances Therefor; and

I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 7

This invention relates to mail-bag catchers and deliverers and railroad appliances therefor; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction thereof, as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as follows:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a car and track-crane with the catcher in position to operate. Fig. 2 is a similar elevation with the catcher out of operative position. Fig. 3 is a plan of the car and track appliances. Figs. 41- and 5 show detail views of the catch or clamp on the lower end of the guide-lever. Fig. 6 shows an enlarged View of the bagearrier. Fig. 7 shows an alternative construction of catcher-plate.

A marks the car; A the dooropening therein, and B B the track-rails. Brackets c c are placed one each side of the car-door. These have the outwardly-projecting lugs c c, which are perforated. A rod 0 is carried in these perforations, being provided at each end with the buffer-springs 0 An arm D and handle D extend from this rod, and on the arm D is the catcher-plate E. The catcher-plate is provided with a flaring receiving-slot e, toward the center of which projects a deflector (2. At each side of the deflector are retaining-holes e which open into the receiving-slot e.

The track-crane is secured to the trackrails. This may be done in any convenient manner. As shown, two ties B B are provided of sufficient length to bring their ends out to the desired position of the cranestandard F. The crane-standard is bolted between the ties B B and is provided with the braces f f. On the top of the standard is a lever G, which is pivoted at g. This lever is provided with the forked arms g g on the track end and with a weight at the opposite end which is sufficient to throw the lever up when disengaged from the bag-carrier. The pivotal movement of the lever is limited to maintain it in a horizontal position when thrown toward the track. Below the lever G is the lever H, pivoted to the standard at h. A plate H, similar in shape to the plate E, is secured to this lever and is provided with the receiving-slot h, deflector 71. and retaining-hole h At the side of each of the receiving-slots is pivoted a bridge-plate h, which is adapted to be swung across the receiving-slot, as shown at the left of plate H in Figs. 1 and 2.

The bag-carrier consists of a suspending means I, provided with an enlargement 2'. The suspending means is placed between the arms g, where it is retained by the enlargement 7;, as shown in Fig. 1. The bag is secured to the lower end of the suspending means.

When a catch by the car is desired, the

In order that a nice adjustment of the plate I Emay be accomplished, the rod 0 has the bends c and c, which limit the pivotal movement of the lever D to an outward horizontal and a downward vertical position, respectively. V

In order that the suspending means may not be swayed by reason of the moving train or other cause, I place a second enlargement 7 below the enlargement 2' and preferably at a position which will bring the plate H into a horizontal position when the enlargement t" is placed beneath it. The suspending means being placed in the receivingslot,the enlargement 0 retains the plate H in the horizontal position. The bridge-plate k prevents the suspending means from entering the retaining-hole 72. so that the suspending means is readily released when engaged by the receiving-plate E.

It will readily be seen that as both sides of the crane and car catcher mechanisms are duplicates in arrangement a bag can be caught with the car going in either direction.

The bag-carrier is preferably made of a chain or metallic suspendingmeans provided with metal disks as enlargements. Iprefer, however, that the suspending means be flexible, so that it will give as it is caught, and thus break to some extent the blow delivered upon the catcher. Such a suspending means will also hold its shape much better than a rigid bag-carrier. As shown, a chain forms the suspending means. It is provided with a bar 1' at its lower end and a sliding ring 11 above the bar. Then the bar is passed through the ring, a noose is formed, which when passed around the bag holds it securely.

In order that the mechanism may deliver as well as catch the bag, bridge-plates e are provided on the plate E. These are similar in arrangement and function to the plates h. The one toward the rear of the car is swung across the receiving-slot e, and the suspending means is placed in the slot with the upper enlargement on the top of the plate. In order to prevent the swaying of the suspended bag, a guide-leverJ, pivoted atj, (the side of the door,) is provided. A chain or link J connects this lever with the leverD, so that the lever J is raised and lowered with the lever D. The lever J has the axis of its pivot at such an angle to the car that when in its lower position it rests against the door-casing and when raised swings out and sidewise, so as to bring its end in contact with the suspended bag-carrier, hung as described. At the end of the lever J is a spring-clamp], by which the suspending means is detachably engaged.

When the car passes a crane set for operation, the suspending means on the car passes into the slot 7t on the side opposite the direction of movement of the car and is then deflected into the retaining-hole h and held. This disengages the carrier from the delivery mechanism of the car. As the catcher relieves the crane mechanism of its carrier and bag the lever H falls down beside the standard out of the way.- The delivered carrier and bag are still retained by the plate, however. As the direction of the car is reversed the pin 3' is withdrawn and the lever J pivoted on the opposite casing of the door. The plates 6 and h are also reversed. These are the only changesnecessary, except the proper placing of the carrier.

I have shown in Figs. 4 and 5 a preferable clamp for the end of the lever J. The lever is provided with a tubular end, near the extremity of which are slots 7' over which is placed the sleeve 3' A pin 7' passes across the sleeve through the slots j Two fingers j are pivoted to this pin and extend beyond the end of the tube with an outward and then inward bend. Just at the end of the tube is a pin 3", which passes across the tube between the fingers. A coil-springj is seated against the pinj and is tensioned against the ping, the eifect of which is to draw the fingers into the tube. The drawing in of the fingers brings their outward bends into contact with the sides of the tube and this brings their ends together with a clamping action. By grasping the sleeve and pushing outwardly on it the fingers are brought against the pin which spreads them, so as to allow the entrance of the suspending means.

It will be noted that the receiving-plates composed of rigid members catch the carrier and prevent its rebound, and this without the use of spring-snaps, as commonly. This, I think, is a decided improvement, as the spring members of the older constructions are apt to be bent or broken when there is any unusual strain,as from slightly-imperfect adjustment. The bag-carrier is light, inexpensive, and effective. The crane, as shown, can be made and adjusted at the shop, so that no mistake can be made in placing it, and it compensates for any post movement or trackwork.

I prefer that there be two retaining-holes for each receiving-slot, as this allows the carrier to be deflected in either direction as the curve of the track or other conditions may influence it; but it may be made with but one hole, as shown in Fig. 7.

What I claim as new is 1. In a mail-bag catcher, the combination of a flexible bag-carrier, arranged to support the bag; and a catcher arranged to engage and hold said carrier in position to support the said bag.

2. In a mail-bag catcher, a combination of a flexible bag-carrier arranged to support the bag; a catcher composed of rigid members arranged to receive said carrier and hold it against rebound.

In a mail-bag catcher, the combination of the bag-carrier; and a catcher provided with a receiving-slot, a deflector and a retaining-hole into which said slot opens, arranged to receive deflect and retain said carrier.

4. In a mail-bag catcher, the combination with a bag-carrier; of a catcher provided with a receiving-slot, a deflector projecting into said slot, and retaining-holes at each side of said deflector arranged respectively to receive, deflect and retain said carrier.

5. In a mail-bag catcher, the combination of a bag-carrier comprising a suspending means having an enlargement thereon; and a catcher composed of rigid members arranged to receive said carrier and hold it against rebound.

6. In a mail-bag catcher, the combination of a bag-carrier comprising a flexible suspending means having an enlargement thereon; and a catcher composed of rigid members arranged to receive said carrier and hold it against rebound.

7. In a mail-bag catcher, the combination of a bag-carrier comprising a suspending means having an enlargement; and a catcher provided with a receiving-slot wider than said suspending means and narrower than said enlargement.

8. In a mail-bag catcher,- the combination of the carrier comprising the suspending means, I, and enlargement, i; and the catcher comprising a plate provided with a receivingslot 6, deflector e,'and retaining-hole, e

9. In a mail-bag catcher, the combination of a metallic bag-carrier; a catcher composed of rigid members arranged to receive said carrier and hold it against rebound; and means of changing said catcher mechanism to adapt it to hold a bag-carrier for delivery.

10. In a mail-bag catcher, the combination of a bag-carrier; a catcher provided with a receiving-slot, a deflectorand aretaining-hole arranged to receive, deflect and retain said carrier; and means of bridging said slot to adapt said catcher to hold said carrier for delivery.

11. In a mail-bag deliverer,the combination of a mail-bag carrier comprising a flexible suspending means provided with an enlargement; and a holding means arranged to engage and detachably hold said carrier.

12. In a mail-bag deliverer,the combination of a bag-carrier comprising a suspending means provided with an enlargement; and a holding means arranged to engage and detachably hold said carrier at two points along its suspending means. a

13. In a mail-bag deliverer, the combination of a bag-carrier comprising a flexible suspending means provided with an enlargement; and a holding means arranged to engage and detachably hold said carrier at two points along its suspending means.

l t. In a mail-bagdeliverer,the combination of a bag -carrier comprising a suspending means provided with two enlargements; and means arranged to detachably engage said carrier at the points of enlargement.

15. In a mail-bag deliverer,the combination of a bag-carrier comprising a suspending means provided with two enlargements; and means arranged to detachably engage said carrier at the points of enlargement.

16. In a mail-bag deliverer,the combination with a bag-carrier comprising a suspending means provided with two enlargements; means of detachably holding said carrier at one enlargement; and a guide-lever provided with a spring-clamp for engaging and guiding said carrier at the other enlargement.

17. In a car mail-deliverer, the combination with the car; of a bag-carrier comprising a suspending means; a holder pivoted on the car and arranged to engage and detachably hold said suspending means; a guide-lever pivoted to the car and arranged to engage and thrown to operative position and along the door-casing when thrown to the ordinary running posit-ion.

19. In a car mail-deliverer, the combination with the car; of a bag-carrier; a holder pivoted to the car and arranged to engage and detachably hold said carrier; a link secured to said holder; two pivot-brackets one at each side of the car-door; and a guide-lever connected to said link and arranged to be pivoted to either of said pivot-brackets and to be swung to position by said link with said holder.

20. In a mail-bag deliverer, the combination with the bag-carrier; of a spring-clamp for engaging and detachably holding said carrier which clamp comprises the tubular portion having slots, f, sleeve, 3' on said tubular portion, the pin,j c1amping-fingers,j and spring, 9'

21 A catch-plate for mail-bag catchers comprising a receiving-slot e, deflector, e and retaining-holee 22. A catch-plate for mail-bag catchers comprising a receiving-slot, e, the deflector, e, and retaining-holes, 6 6 one each side of the deflector.

23. A flexible bag-holder for mail-bag catchers comprising means of engaging the delivery-holder and catching mechanism.

24. A bag-holder for mail-bag catchers comprising means of engaging the delivery-holder and the catching mechanism; anda slip-noose secured thereto adapted to secure the encircling it.

25. In a station mail-bag deliverer, the combination with the crane; of a forked lever at the top; a guiding means below; and a bagcarrier comprising a suspending means adapted to be engaged and held between the forks of the forked lever and by the guiding means below.

26. In a station mail-bag deliverer, the combination with the crane; of a forked lever at bag by the top; a guiding means below; and a baglever and an enlargement arranged to engage twining-hole and a bridgeplate for bridging 1:

the plate, H", from below with the suspend- I the receiving-slot. I

ing means in the receiving or delivery slot). In testimony whereof I afiix my signature 28. A catchenplnte for mail-bag catchers in presence of two Witnesses.

5 comprising at; each end a receiving-slot, a de- 1 flector and a retaining-1101c. LESLIE JOBES 29. A catcher and delivery plate for meih Witnesses:

bag catchers and deliverers comprising at O. SWALLEY,

each end a receiving-slot, a deflector, a. re- H. G. LORD. 

